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Violence
Escalates in Orissa International
Dominican Justice Promoters Urge Support for Christians
in India

SANTA SABINA -- September 8, 2008 -- Violence against Christians
in the Orissa area of India has reached a boiling point. In a 72
hour period over 114 major acts of violence were reported. Prakash
Lohale, OP and Toni Harris, OP, international co-promoters of justice
and peace are urging Dominicans to devote some time to prayer for
peace.

According to Christian news sources in India, Christians in Orissa
attempting to return to their villages after fleeing widespread communal
violence are being compelled to sign papers renouncing their faith
and converting to Hinduism. They
reportedly face threats of social ostracism or the destruction of
their property unless they comply with this demand.

Much of the recent violence stems from the murder of Swami Lakhmananda
Saraswati and his four associates. The Hindu extremist group
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), of which Saraswati was a local figurehead,
blamed the Christian community for the killing, and launched a devastating
series of attacks on Christian targets, including murders, rape and
widespread destruction of property, and publicly incited further
hatred against Christians.